Walk up all the stairs at pier 66 for a fantastic view (great sunrise shots can be had from here if you are into photography). Best things to do are: Stanley Park, Pike Place Market, Space Needle, and Grouse Mountain. Eventually, 97 turns into 2, which you will take to Cashmere and finally Leavenworth. The 110-mile journey takes four hours and heads north three to four times a day. If you have time and energy, head to the University of Washington and go for a walk around campus or visit the Burke Museum (make sure to get some fry bread from Off the Rez while youre there). Some great dining options at each of these locations, so this would be a good option to find some dinner. Now, walk along the ship canal where you will see houseboats and past the lake to the famous abandoned gas works complex. La Conner, in Skagit Valley, offers the opportunity to stroll along the waterfront while checking out art galleries and shops. Day 5 pick up a Coho ferry to Port Angeles and back to Seattle. A day trip from Vancouver to Victoria will take 13-14 hours, with 4 hours of that travelling each way and will be restricted to the bus. Make a quick pass by the Freemont rocket, which was supposed to be pointed at city hall but when the installers couldnt figure out how to do it, they just pointed to the sky. You say you are driving from, I presume, a central Seattle hotel and coming to Vancouver that day. All the stores in Winthrop have old west storefronts and decorations, and there are no shortage of restaurants or places to shop here. Browse the many creative shops on Granville Island. Worth the $7 ticket and a great way to spend a day. Other casinos located along the route between Vancouver and Seattle include the Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale and Angel of the Winds in Arlington. Meanwhile, the Museum of Northwest Art and the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum present unique galleries and exhibits dedicated to regional artists and art programs. On day one, I suggest you pick a place to stay close to the Pike Market, as this will make a great base for exploring both the market and the waterfront. This famous suspension bridge (one of the longest in the world) is very safe and constantly tested. I strongly recommend booking a hotel in the downtown area in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle if you are doing your trip without a car. Youll have opportunities to pick up wood before entering the national recreation area, so be sure to do so if you plan on enjoying a fire, and some smores on a beautiful evening in Washington State. Getting ready for your vacay? You can take the bus between Ballard and UW, or if youre into long walks you can also walk there on the flat, paved Burke Gilman Trail, with beautiful views of the city and unique Gasworks Park. Do not go into Chelan, which is an industrial area with nothing to see, but go to Chelan Falls instead. Admire indigenous art pieces in the Eagle Spirit Gallery. Top questions are easier to see if you aren't on a mobile device. If youre looking for an urban seven day trip to see the best cities of the Pacific Northwest, with beautiful ferry rides through islands in view of towering mountains, then a Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle week long trip is for you! Day 1: Seattle and Anacortes; Day 2: Visit Deception Pass and Our Wolf Encounter; Day 3: Take the Ferry from Anacortes, WA into Sidney, BC and stay in a treehouse. Alternatively, go even further off the beaten path by taking a ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island then driving north on Highway 525 and Highway 20 to rejoin I-5 near Burlington. Even though its very busy with visitors, Butchart Gardens is a must do in Victoria for most visitors. Here youll find miles of elevated walkways, ponds stocked with fish to attract birds, great educational activities, and guides. Winter (Mid November through mid February) is mild with lots of rainy days and lots of cloudy days that are fairly dry. Now, turn back towards where you came from and begin to walk towards pier 66. On day 3 go all the way through to Whistler. It will enrich your visit. On day 5, we would head down south to make our enter Seattle again (may stop by anything else remaining on the way). The casinos in Washington State offer Vegas-style gaming along with good food, live entertainment, and other amenities. Earlier in the itinerary, I talked about the famous Seattle Spaceneedle. The bus is cheaper than the train and takes almost the same amount of time, so it's a great option for travelers who want to save some money. This outlet mall has nicely landscaped grounds and is home to several fast food and snack shops. Hi! May 2, 2023. Note: Consult guidelines from the Canadian government before traveling, as COVID restrictions and requirements (including vaccination status and testing) are changing frequently. A word about the Seattle City Pass. Travel Jul 06 - Jul 10. Catalano park is located in the suburbs and there is not much else in the neighborhood the commute from the center is about an hour by public transport or forty-five minutes by car. A great end to the walk exploring the Freemont neighborhood. So unless you are coming in looking for a specific thing (and before you purchase tickets be sure to check at the cash register that it is open, I was not told Star Trek was closed) I would advise skipping this stop. More info. Error validating access token: Session has expired on Wednesday, 05-Oct-22 02:18:45 PDT. As you drive down 20 east, youll pass through a few small towns prior to entry into the national recreation area, including those that have stores and hotels. Several major airlines, including United, Delta and Alaska, fly non-stop from Seattles Sea-Tac Airport to Vancouver International daily in about an hour. <
>. With free wifi, power outlets at each seat, and far more legroom than your average airline, the journey is not just comfortable but convenient. There are museums, fine restaurants, plenty of unique local traditions (flying fish anyone) and a great party scene. . 7 Days - Inside Passage (Vancouver To Seattle) - Vancouver to Seattle aboard Discovery Princess. If youre driving, youll need to take the BC ferry back to Vancouver OR the Coho ferry to Port Angeles. The route's main draws are Mt. Since London was named the best city for 2023, her, heres to future garden parties and slow weekend, hey there! After you are done exploring all the stops, get back to Granville for an evening of partying Canada style or a quiet night in your hotel far away from this trendy neighborhood. Regardless of the route you take from Seattle to Vancouver, you're in for a beautiful trip through the PNW. I'm Jennie. You'll be there by lunchtime and you can enjoy the village and the scenery. Alternatively, head over to Canada Place for FlyOver Canada for epic views no matter what the weather is doing. If youd prefer to explore some of Vancouvers natural wonders, take the Seabus to North Vancouver and then the bus to Grouse Mountain. After breakfast, we will go to Funko Everett. Dont miss out just because there are lots of other people enjoying it too. 5 days later, some in Michigan still lack power . Whats the weather like in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle? Have a leisurely morning with breakfast at your hotel, or take a walk on one of Vancouvers amazing trails before catching your bus to the ferry. There is so much to explore at these stops I am certain I missed a few notables, so if you find something great please be sure to let me know in comments on this article! A day trip from Vancouver to Victoria will take 13-14 hours, with 4 hours of that travelling each way and will be restricted to the bus. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. The cheapest by far is BoltBus, some of whose seven daily trips north start at just a dollar. After you wander the market a bit, make your way to the nearby Post Place alley and check out the famous chewing gum wall. There are so many things to do in Seattlethat you could spend weeks there, but youll want to squeeze in a side trip to explore all theamazingthings to do in Vancouver as well, including parks, museums and restaurants. train follows a scenic track from Seattles historic Pioneer Square district, up the craggy coast, to downtown Vancouvers Pacific Central Station. To make it a loop starting and ending in Seattle or Vancouver, take Amtrak Cascades between the two cities on Day 1 (or Day 7). Take the WA State ferry from Anacortes to Sidney, BC - or - the Coho Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria harbour. There are vehicle ferries if you choose to take your car. Misnamed, rather than a wall, this is actually an entire alley covered with bubble gum. The shows plays in two local venues this June and tickets are on sale now! Start at the waiting for the interurban sculpture, where figures build in the 1970s are waiting for a train that no longer functions, a memorial to the method of transit that used to connect this neighborhood with the rest of Seattle. I spend my evening at pier 66 watching (and photographing) the sunset. There are two major outlet shopping malls located along Interstate 5 between Seattle and Vancouver. I leave my car at home if Im planning to be spending time in the city. There are plenty of clubs and bars to hit in the area if you are so inclined. Meanwhile, scenic drives that can take you off the Interstate for a few hours or more include the Mt. Seattle to Vancouver: 7 Things to See on the Road, Seattle to Vancouver Canadian Border Crossings, North Cascades National Park: The Complete Guide, Bellingham and Whatcom County Travel Guide, Why Road Tripping in an EV Slows You Downand Why That's a Good Thing, 10 Top Things to Do on Whidbey Island, Washington, 17 Best Things to Do in Spokane, Washington, 11 Best Things to Do in Sheridan, Wyoming, 9 Best Things to Do in Vancouver, Washington, Getting Around Seattle: Guide to Public Transportation. A good portion of today will be spent taking the beautiful trip from downtown Vancouver to Victorias Inner Harbour by way of a ferry ride through the unforgettable Gulf Islands. Airport Pick up. for those of you who are new around h. In a car, its a quick shot up I-5 from Seattle to the Canadian border and on to Vancouver. From Victoria, youll need a second ferry headed for Vancouver or, more accurately, for Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay. If you have no time to waste, the best way to travel from Seattle to Vancouver is by air. This is a fantastic place to pick up souvenirs of your trip, as I find nobody is ever disappointed at getting a gift of high-end chocolate. Day 1: SeattleDay 2: Seattle to Vancouver Via Amtrak, VancouverDay 3: VancouverDay 4: Vancouver, Seattle to Vancouver via AmtrakDay 5: Seattle, Start Cascade Mountain LoopDay 6: Cascade Mountain LoopDay 7: Finish Cascade Mountain Loop, Seattle, Please Note: This post may contain some affiliate links. If you have time on your hands, explore Seattle with any of our 5-day itineraries. Updated: 4:40 PM PST February 24, 2023. Washington State is home to over 33,000 farms, so you'll have no shortage of options to choose from when driving between Seattle and Vancouver. This is a good place for lunch or happy hour, with lots of local restaurants and many breweries. There is also the Audain Gallery. Whatever you are looking for whether its fast and cheap, fancy, fresh, desert or anything in between youll find it on Granville Island. If you are arriving in the morning as I was, drop your bags off in your hotel and make your way down to the Market, a great place for lunch. After searching for some time we saw two killer whales hunting for a meal. In Spring and Fall, weather is much less predictable and different types of weather are possible even in the same day. The shortest and easiest scenic drive to incorporate into your journey is Chuckanut Drive, which runs through farmland and along the Puget Sound between the towns of Bow and Bellingham. I would say its only worth it if its good enough weather to see the view. My favorites were Yaletown for the cool umbrella display (another place for a great social media picture) and the village for the opportunity for incredible evening shots. You can join one of a dozen free walking tours here ask your hotel for a recommendation. Four companies make the journey up Interstate 5 across the. All of my trips are on Vero first please be sure to follow me @ traveltipster. Summer (July through early September) is generally dry and warm (70s and 80s Fahrenheit) and occassionally hot. If, on the other hand, you want to hit all the major attractions City Pass makes sense. He lives under a large, architecturally interesting bridge. I don't recommend this, not with a toddler. On day 2, we are planning to do a bus tour to Victoria (yet to buy). Granville Island is full of shops, restaurants, produce stands and art. Looking for vacation ideas or travel tips? Day 4: Vancouver, Seattle to Vancouver via Amtrak Day 5: Seattle, Start Cascade Mountain Loop Day 6: Cascade Mountain Loop Day 7: Finish Cascade Mountain Loop, Seattle. They do docent led tours every hour, I think, so maybe time your visit for one of those. After you arrive in Vancouver, Canada and leave your bags at your hotel, make your way to the water. Exclusive $110 valued gift package that includes a . Enjoy the sunset on the way over or back, depending on the time of year and what time you like to eat dinner. The bridge is inside of a family-friendly nature park (entry to the park and therefore the bridge is paid). So will have that day and full day the next, flying out late the third day. Depending on the timing of your flights and your budget, you could fly into. I've been a tour guide for many years in both Alaska and Washington and am a field editor for the Milepost. If youve got a schedule to keep, stay up-to-date on wait times on the, Washington State Department of Traffics website, It is possible to travel by ferry from Seattle to Vancouver if youve got time to explore Victoria and Vancouver Island. The total ferry ride is a little over an hour. Proceed to the Freemont Troll. Check out the Bellevue Botanical Garden or take your family on an adventurous journey to Mount Rainier . I also recommend the Wing Luke Museum in the nearby International District (another great alternative for lunch). In summer, it can get quite hot and many buildings do not have air conditioning. Keep your eyes peeled for more bald eagles and other wildlife. Youll get into Seattle around 10 pm, and tomorrow is another big day so get some sleep. The first is to go right and follow the Cascade Mountain Loop, this is the shorter trip that will take about a day. We are thinking of reaching vancouver early morning on that day>>. Is the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish better? Make sure you dont miss Rogers Chocolates and Munros Books as well as Murchies Coffee and Tea. The bubble gum smell here is very strong, so this stop is definitely not for the squeamish. If you have no time to waste, the best way to travel from Seattle to Vancouver is by air. capital, Victoria, that will take you just under three hours. 5 Day Trip to Seattle from Vancouver: Checkout 5 Day trip plan for Seattle covering 13 attractions, popular eat-outs and 1 hotel, created on 14th Nov 2017. Mufti's suggestion to just do a night in Victoria on your way back to Seattle makes much more sense. <